I will never forget this race: the 118th Boston Marathon

What a day it was.

Here I am, four days after the Boston Marathon and I still have goose bumps from that day. There are no words to describe what running on that course was like on Monday. The feeling along the entire course was ELECTRIC. As my body heals this week, I cannot help but reflect back on what was probably one of the best days of my life. My quads and hamstrings are still a little sore, but my pride is absolutely still glowing! I grew up just outside of Boston and I ran last year, it was my very first marathon. I did not get to celebrate last year, all of that excitement was taken away from me (and everyone else that day). This year I got to celebrate with my family and actually enjoy my accomplishment. There is nothing like it and nothing as sweet as crossing that finish line!

My Official time was 3:24:30!

For those of you who have been reading my blog, you know I was battling some injuries this winter. I had a feeling all along that I WOULD run, but I was nervous (and didn’t want to be in pain or cause permanent injury). I had people tell me that it wasn’t a good idea, but I wasn’t willing to let that stop me. If I was to run Boston, this WAS the year and I had to do it. The good thing is, as it got closer I started to feel a lot better (thanks to my chiropractor, massage therapist and acupuncturist) and running the race was becoming more of a reality. I What’s amazing is, I took five whole weeks off from running this winter and still took four minutes off from last year! It goes to show that you don’t have to over train to run a marathon:).To be honest, I wanted to break 3:20 (my time from Chicago in October), but given the course and all that went on with my foot injury, I was overjoyed knowing that I ran a Boston PR and qualified again for next year! I realize that not every race can be a PR and I am happy with my strong finish.

Heading down the hill at Newton-Wellesley Hospital after seeing my hubby and family

The course was TOUGH for me this year, especially after mile 16! The consensus I’ve received from a lot of lot of runners is that their quads were cramping up big time around mile 16, and continued to throughout the race. Yup, this was me!

Going up heartbreak hill! It was the down hills that got me (not heart break)

I think I was just so excited in the beginning, that I went out too fast on the down hills and that came back to bite me. I had a great run until around 16 and things started to get cramped up. Luckily, as a last minute decision I packed headphones in my Fuel Belt pouch (I NEVER run with music). My quads were burning so badly that I threw on my headphones and it forced me to zone in. While the crowds were AMAZING and so loud, I needed to listen to music to get me through miles 16-20. Once I got closer to the city, the crowds got even bigger and that helped me through to the finish line.

If you have ever run the Boston Marathon, you know that the best sign in the world is seeing Hereford Street, knowing all you have to do is take a right and then a left onto Boylston Street, and you’re home free! As I took that turn on Monday and ran down Boylston, all I could do was run as fast as I could, just thinking about what happened last year… it gave me the fuel I needed! With tears of joy in my eyes, I crossed that finish and it was the best feeling in the WORLD. The best part is that I also did not further injure myself by running this race!

Here are some of my favorite photos and moments from the Boston Marathon and the Marathon Expo! These are moments I will cherish forever.

Meeting Kara Goucher and Lauren Fleshman, who were representing Oiselle at the Boston Marathon Expo on Saturday. They are so down to earth and just plain awesome! I felt start struck!

My Marathon day outfit. Thanks Oiselle for being so perfect. I loved my Strappy bra, Flyte Tank, Distance Shorts and Lux arm warmers… totally comfortable, no chaffing and super cute. Plus I stood out in the crowd, even better!

The sunrise in the Boston common at the buses and bag drop. The sunrise was beautiful and my eyes welled up with tears as I the buses drove down Tremont Street, runners waving and smiling out the windows… we were all so excited!

The excitement continued in Athlete’s Village, where I sat around for about 1.5 hours before heading to my start corral. I met a lot of nice people that morning and there was just so much JOY all around the village, we all could not wait to start the race!

Seeing my husband and family at mile 16.5!

All of the volunteers (and spectators) thanking ME as a runner for running this year! I thought that was amazing… The volunteers and spectators at the Boston Marathon are truly the best!

Meeting up with my husband and family in the Boston Common, just after finishing, feeling such pride.

13 Comments

I love this entire recap, Kristin. What an incredible experience and great pictures. I love the photo of you running to your husband, because I can completely relate. Family and spectators make such a difference! Someday I hope to be there too – until then, I will live vicariously through you!

Aww Thank you so much Kristen! It was such a special day, one that I will always treasure. Isn’t it the best feeling seeing your hubby (and family) during a race? It’s always something to look forward to! I hope you get to race Boston one day too:)

Congrats girl!!! You did awesome!! Found your blog a few days ago and couldnt wait to read how you did, great job! I am from and live in the area too. I was rooting people on in the middle of the real heart break hilll… Everyone was looking so good! 🙂

Thank you Sara! Happy to see a local girl and athlete is reading my blog! So awesome you watched the race, such an incredible day to be a part of! I will never forget it! I look forward to reading your blog too:)

Amazing job! I had no idea the time you got–seriously impressive, especially given your injury! And better yet is how you feel!
Great post. I really enjoyed reading about the race from your perspective.

Thank you so much!! I was also very pleased with my time, given the looong winter of training while injured. Also, I appreciate you saying you enjoyed reading my race recap! I could talk about the Boston Marathon all day long:)

Congratulations on such a great race!! I’m so happy you were able to run it and feel good (minus the usual marathon pain)!
I adore that photo of you with Kara and Lauren. You all look so happy!
And the photo of you seeing your hubs is priceless 🙂
Hope you’re enjoying your down week.

Thank you so much Abby!! It does feel great and I’m so happy I didn’t further injure myself. I was so happy meeting Kara and Lauren, what an awesome experience. I love how my mom captured the photo of me and my hubs, that is frame worthy:)

Loved reading your race report. It got toasty towards the end, and my quads were definitely shot. i feel like the course beats me up so much everytime I do it. My recovery time is always longest after this race. You did amazing!! I love all the smiles in your photos…I need to do more of that when running…Also loved the race day outfit. I wore Oiselle too!!

Thank you Bry:) The recovery time after Boston IS so long, really beats you up! I think the heat this year didn’t help, lol. I try to smile as much as possible when I run, it makes the pain go away:) Loved your race outfit too, Oiselle is the best!

About Me

Hi, I’m Kristin. Thank you for stopping by! You can follow me here as I go through life as a 30-something Ironman triathete. I love to swim in open water, bike up big hills and run fast. Currently living in my hometown of Boston, MA with my hubby and our two pups.